The Real Magic Will Be If Any Taxes Are Paid on This Deal

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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Frank McCourt leaves Los Angeles County Superior Court after day one of a non-jury divorce trial on August 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The trial, being presided over by Judge Scott M. Gordon in California Superior Court, is to decide whether Frank McCourt is the sole owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team or his estranged wife and former Dodger CEO Jamie McCourt still has ownership stake in the team. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Frank McCourt

For us Dodger fans, the news that former Laker great and businessman Magic Johnson -- and a group of investors -- has purchased the team via auction is good news. The previous owner Frank McCourt had taken money out of the team to pay for a lavish lifestyle -- and ended up pushing the franchise into bankruptcy.

One of McCourt's many sins was against the people of California: according to the LA Times, he and his co-owner -- McCourt's then-wife Jamie -- made $108 million between 2004 and 2009, but didn't pay state (or federal) income taxes.

That should be more of a scandal, particularly in early 21st century California, which has faced big cuts to education and other core public programs. And it also begs the question: will California and its governments finally see some money for McCourt's profits on this sale?

The short answer: no one knows for sure, since we don't know about McCourt's taxes.

But the announcement of the deal had one telling detail that suggests tax avoidance may explain part of the structure of the sale. McCourt will remain an owner of the land that includes Dodger Stadium, in an entity that includes some of the new owners.

There can be many reasons for such structures, and some reports suggest McCourt wants to retain rights to develop the parking lots around the stadium. But one reason for keeping McCourt's name on the deed may be to avoid reassessment of property.

Without reassessment of property, tax bills are based on earlier valuations. And the purchase price of the Dodgers -- $2 billion, a record for a professional baseball team -- stands to reason that the land upon which Dodger Stadium is far more valuable today than whatever number upon which it was most recently assessed.